Discharge apparatus and method



Dec. '14, 1937. R. E. BARCLAY DISCHARGE APPARATUS AND METHOD Original Filed Jan. 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Shed l b20617 fzaberEEa HHHHHIH 53 Olllllil Dec. 14, 1937. R. E. BARCLAY DISCHARGE APPARATUS AND METHOD Original Filed Jan. 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 THREE PHHSE FOUR WIRE HLI'ERNRTING- CUR RENT Dec. 14, 1937. R. E. BARCLAY DISCHARGE APPARATUS AND METHOD Original Filed Jan. 5, 1934. 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @s x/i? Patented Dec. 14, 1937 um'rso STATES PATENT OFFICE Rifbhcrt E. Barclay, Chicago, 111., assignor to Fed- ,eral Electric Company, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of New York Application January 5, 1934, Serial No. 705,393 Renewed August 10, 1937 12 Claims.

My invention relates in general to electronics and has more particular reference to electrical discharge apparatus, the invention more specifically relating to gaseous conduction apparatus and the method of operating the same from a low voltage source of electrical power.

An important object is to provide a gaseous conduction device of the class described which can be started at low applied voltage.

Another object is to provide means to excite a gaseous conduction lamp of the character described so that it can be started in operation at low voltage.

Another object is to provide a lamp combination wherein an exciter, comprising a conductor, is arranged in position to induce high frequency electrostatic effects in the lamp inorder to improve its starting and operating eiliciency.

Another object is to operate a discharge lamp of the character mentioned as a rectifier and to encircle the discharge path with an exciter comprising a conductor disposed about said lamp and adapted to excite the gaseous conduction medium of the lamp to permit the same to be started in operation at relatively low applied voltage.

Another important object is to provide a device of the character mentioned, which is operable irom a relatively low voltage alternating current power source, a further object being to form the lamp in a manner permitting detachable mounting in a power outlet socket or lamp fixture, so that the same can be used as a replaceable unit in the same manner as an ordinary incandescent lamp.

Another important object is to utilize a high voltage discharge device consuming a relatively small amount of power, in conjunction with a discharge device consuming relatively more power and normally requiring a relatively high voltage for its operation, in order to permit the latter device to be operated at relatively low voltage and thus reduce the total power required to operate the combination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hot cathode discharge lamp unit having all of the electrodes disposed in one end of the lamp in a manner facilitating connection of the lamp with external power-delivery circuits.

Another object is to provide a discharge lamp having a cathode target which can be started in operation without preliminary heating.

Another object is to provide a lamp of the class mentioned having an envelope defining a pair of discharge channel portions separated by dielectric means, with anode and cathode electrodes at the ends of said portions; a further object being to dispose the anodes and cathode in the ends of the legs to facilitate connecting the device in suitable actuating circuits at one end of the envelope.

Among the important objects of the present invention is to provide a device of the character Figures 1 and 3, and along the line 3-3 in Figures l and 2; 1 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the lamp shown in Figure 1, illustrating a modified mode of applying the electrodes and cathode target, and also showing an activating element comprising means forming a circuit encircling the lamp in order to improve the operating efficiency thereof, the power delivery circuits for full wave rectified current operation of the lamp and the power circuit for operating the activating element being shown diagrammatically;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the lamp showing a modified power delivery circuit;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the lamp showing modified cathode means comprising spaced electrodes;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a lamp ems-= bodying the present invention as arranged for full wave, three-phase operation;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of the lamp shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic viewof a lamp embodying my present invention arranged for halfwave operation and showing a filamentary cathode target;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a lamp similar to that shown in Figure 9 with cathode means comprising spaced electrodes;

Figures 11 and 12 are sectional views showing a commercial form of the lamp shown in Figure 10, with which is associated an activating element similar to that shown in Figure 4; Figure 11 being taken substantially along the line I lll in Figure 12; and Figure 12 being taken substantially along the line l2-I2 in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a schematic view illustrating a modified form of lamp embodying my present invention. I I

To illustrate my invention, I have shown on the drawings, an electronic discharge device II, comprising a sealed envelope l3, formed preferably of any suitable light-transmitting material, such as glass and forming a channel 11 containing a suitable gas and having spaced electrodes 23 and 25 associated with the channel. The electrode means are preferably mounted in housings 40 comprising envelope extensions formed or otherwise connected on the envelope and in communication with the discharge channel.

Means is provided for connecting suitable power-supplying circuits with the electrodes to apply a potential difference therebetween in order to set up electrical discharges in the channel I! and also to supply power for exciting the electrodes as by heating the same in embodiments where excited electrodes are employed.

The envelope means is preferably, though not necessarily, arranged so that the channel I] is of generally U-shaped configuration comprising a pair of sealed channel portions l8 and 22 disposed in parallel and adjacent relationship and having communication only at one end of the envelope, said channel portions being preferably separated, except at their communicating ends, by dielectric means preferably in the form of an integral partition l9 extending within the walls of the envelope. The channel portions, also, may be separated by the dielectric means throughout their entire length and provided each with an electrode at its opposite end, if desired, the electrodes in the ends of the channel portions, opposite from the electrodes 23 and 25, being electrically connected together in any suitable fashion. I prefer, however, to directly connect the channels together at an end of the envelope to form a single closed U-shaped chamber or channel H, as shown in Figure 4.

The envelope l3, may comprise a tube bent at its mid-point, but I prefer to fabricate the device from a suitable length of partitioned multibore tubing of the character described in United States Patent No. 1,904,348, covering the Method of making multi-bore tubing, which issued to me April 18, 1933, by sealing adome 20 on one end of the tube and by sealing the opposed ends of each arm l8 and 22, with suitable electrode means positioned therein, since such an envelope construction has certain inherent features of advantage, which will hereinafter be more fully described. My present invention however, is not necessarily limited to the particular envelope construction illustrated, but may be applied in devices having one or more discharge channels arranged in any desirable or suitable-form or configuration, and including a tubular envelope providing a straight discharge channel with associated spaced electrodes.

I prefer, however, to dispose the opposite ends of the channel i5 somewhat adja'cently so that the lower end of the envelope, including the electrode housings 40, may be mounted in and supported by the base l5, which is or may be provided with terminal means 2| of suitable form whereby to connect the electrodes with a suitable source of electrical power, such, for instance,

as a socket receptacle adapted to receive the base and the terminals 2| and connect the same in external power circuits with which the socket receptacle is associated.

Discharge devices, embodying my present invention, depend for their operation upon the initiation and maintenance of electrical discharges in an ionized field between spaced stations, which are preferably in the form of spaced electrodes, carrying opposite electrical charges. the discharge occurring from a negatively charged station or anode to a positively charged station or cathode, called the target. Such discharges may be initiated by applying alternating electrical potential between spaced electrodes, in which case the electrodes alternate their status as anode and cathode with each alternation of applied potential. The device however may also be operated by applying direct current between the electrodes, in which case the anodes and cathodes maintain their character as such throughout the discharging operation. I prefer, however, to establish electrical discharge by application of electrical potential of alternating character on a discharge device having permanent cathode electrode means, by providing a plurality of anode electrodes spaced apart from the cathode target and applying the alternating current potential between the anode electrodes while connecting the cathode target to a neutral point in the alternating current supply sysem. By this expedient, the device is constituted as a rectifier, the discharges taking place in a unidirectional manner successively from the several anodes to the cathode target, during each alternation of the potential applied to the anodes.

Certain phasesof my present invention, however, may have application in devices, in which alternating current is applied at the spaced electrode stations in an ionized field to permit the discharge to take place alternately in opposite directions between the spaced points of application, but the invention relates more particularly to devices having a permanent cathode target receiving unidirectional discharges. Moreover, the invention relates to devices in which one or more of the electrodes are artificially excited in order to promote electron emission as well as to devices in which the electrodes are not excited. The invention also includes devices wherein the artificially excited electrode is of filamentary nature as well as devices wherein electrode excitation is accomplished in other ways.

Ordinarily, it may be necessary to apply a relatively high potential difference between the electrodes in order to initiate and maintain discharges in the gas-filled channel l1. However, by providing means for exposing the envelope to the effects of high frequency oscillations, such, for instance, as are generated in an exciter element X, I am able to initiate and maintain a discharge in the channel I! with materially less voltage applied between the discharging electrodes. This advantage is especially noticeable when the main element I l is formed with closely adjacent discharge portions I8 and 22 separated by dielectric means between the channel portions, but is also apparent when a straight discharge channel is employed.

The exciter X, when in operation, promotes ionization of the gaseous mediain the channel portions l8 and 22, and permits discharges to be initiated between the electrodes therein more readily and hence at lower applied voltage than when no exciter is used. The exciter; may be of any suitable or preferred form, preferably comprising a conductor or conduit which encircles the element [3 and which carries high frequency impulses. As shown in Figure 4, the device X preferably comprises a discharge element or tube 45 containing, a gaseous conductor, the tube being wound in helical form and mounted in position to encircle the element I3. The device 45 may comprise a sealed tube preferably of glass, the opposite ends of which are provided with electrodes 41, the tube being evacuated of air and filled with a suitable gas capable of being ionized to sustain electrical discharges and having connections provided whereby to deliver a suitable electrical potential between the electrodes 41 in order to set up discharges through the tube between the electrodes 41. The exciter may be powered in any suitable fashion as by connecting the electrodes 41 to the secondary winding 49 of a transformer 5|, the primary windings 53 of which are connected to any suitable power source. The opposite electrode-containing ends of the element 45 also may be turned downwardly on opposite sides of the envelope 3, which the element 45 encircles. These downwardly turned ends 55, as shown in Figure 11, may be fitted into by the element 45 may be connected in an ex-' ternal circuit for delivering electrical power to the element 45 when the casing is mounted in a suitable outlet socket.

I may also use the exciter element in con:

junction with the ordinary form of discharge device comprising a tube having a single channel, either straight with electrodes at the opposed ends of 1the tube or bent to provide a U-sha'ped channe The purpose of the element X is to provide high-frequency current oscillations in the vicinity of the channel I! and thus excite the main discharge device H and not only improve its operating efliciency but also permit discharges to be initiated in the main element between the electrodes 23 and 25 at substantially lower applied voltage at the electrodes than is necessary where the device II is operated without the influence of the exciter. I also may increase the exciting efiect of the exciter by interposing plate means, preferably comprising metal foil I41,

tween the exciter and the discharge device. Since the power required to operate the element H is substantially large compared with that required for the exciter, it will be obvious that by utilizing the exciter X, a substantially less power- Iul, and therefore, less expensive transformer 35 will be required to power the device ll.

Although I have shown the exciter as a helically wound element encircling the envelope i3 substantially throughout its entire extent, ad-

vantageous results are obtained even when the exciter device encircles the envelope 13 for only a portion of its length. The exciter, especially when in the form of a tubular discharge element, does not impair the illuminating effect of the main element l I, since its coils are relatively widely spaced and by suitably selecting the gases in the device 45 and the channel 11 of the device H, I can produce any desired color combination and thus produce a lamp capable of achieving attractive decorative effects. I do not, however,

herein claim the production of combined color lighting effects, since the same comprises subject matter claimed in my co-pending applicatlon Serial No. 30,305, filed July '8, 1935, for Gaseous conduction device. I

Theexciter may be employed with satisfactory results in dischargedevices of various forms and I have shown the same as applied to devices having permanent cathode target means as well as in devices wherein the cathode and anode alternate; and while the exciter operates most satisfactorily where thedevicc has intcgral glass partition means disposed between the legs l8 and 22, it has advantages also where the envelope does not have adjacent channel portions I8 and 22.

I have illustrated the exciter X as applied to several modified constructions but I do not wish to limit the invention to any particular combination and it should be understood that the tubular discharge form of the exciter may be appl'nedto all of the illustrated discharge devices as well as to the ordinary forms known to the rior'art. The particular forms of discharge devices, whichI have shown herein, in conjunction with the exciter to illustrate one phase of the invention, each contain individual features of novcity which I shall now describe.

In Figures 1-12, one end 18 of the channel I: is provided with permanent cathode-forming means C, while the other end 22 is provided with anode means A preferably comprising one or more electrodes 25 of any suitable form and preferably similar to the electrode shown in my copending application, Serial Number 570,717,

'filed October 23, 1931, for Electrical discharge device and electrode for same, which has matured ing means C may, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,

5, 7, and 9, comprise a filament 23, adapted to be excited as by heating, or, as shown in Figures 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12, comprise a pair of spacedapart electrodes 26 of suitable form adapted to be excited by setting up a discharge therebetween. Alternatively, the cathode means, as shown in Figure 13, may comprise a single electrode.

In Figures 13, 14 and 15 I have shown discharge devices having modified electrodes, ,of a type adapted to function alternately as anodes and cathodes, as Well as to operate in a manner continuously maintaining their status as anodes or cathodes as the case may be.

The devices, particularly those shown in Figures 4 and 13, are adapted for operation through the application of unidirectional electrical potential between its electrodes 23 and 25, with the electrodes 25 functioning as anodes while the electrode 23 comprises a cathode adapted to operate as such without excitation, and the electrode 23 may be formed with grooves to increase its surface area and of an alloy hereinafter more particularly described and especially well adapted for use as a cathode material. If desired, boh electrodes 23 and 25 may be made like the elec trode 23; in which case either electrode may function as a permanent cathode in the event that the device is actuated by direct current applied between the spaced electrodes 25, the electrode 23 in such case being eliminated. The device, however, maybe operated with alternating potential applied between the elec rodes if desired.

In Figure 14, I have shown electrodes 23 and 25, both of filamentary character so that both may be excited as by the application of current to the filament from an external source. If. de-

sired, the filaments may be enclosed in a protective casing, which is warmed by the filament and forms the actual electrode while protecting the filament from the discharges set up between the electrodes. The device illustrated inFigure 14 may be operated either with alternating or unidirectional potential applied between the electrodes 23 and 25 and either electrode may function as the permanent cathode when direct current is used to actuate the device.

In Figure 15, I have shown electrodes 23 and 25 provided with filamentary exciter wires coiled thereabout with one end of each coil closely spaced with respect to its corresponding electrode. The opposite ends of the coils are extended through the walls of the envelope and connected together or the opposed ends of the exciter coil I45, if the same is employed. In either event, the application of a potential difference between the electrodes will cause a flow of current through the filaments which will heat the electrodes by induction as well as by conduction and radiation. Alternately, the filaments may be energized by applying electrical potential differences from any suitable source directly between the end connections of each coil outside of the envelope and the electrode connections.

In Figure 13, I have shown a discharge device, which may be used either alone or in conjunction with the exciter X. The discharge device is preferably formed as shown with its arms in adjacent parallel relationship with an electrode at the end of each arm and an intermediate electrode at the junction of each arm. The device may and preferably is actuated with the intermediate electrode functioning as a cathode, while the remaining electrodes comprise anodes. The anodes may be connected to an alternating current power source, such as a transformer winding, or its equivalent, while the cathode is connected to a neutral point of the transformer winding. Discharges will occur alternately from each anode to the cathode and unidirectional current will flow in the cathode connection to the winding. The device therefore functions as a rectifier and produces direct current between the cathode and neutral point of the winding in response to the delivery of alternating current to the anodes. Other uses and modes of operation of the device will be apparent and the device may be arranged for three-phase operation by forming the envelope with a trifoil partition providing three discharge arms in place of the two shown in the drawings and by providing an extra anode in the extra arm. In such a case, the power distributing winding may be as shown in Figure 9, with conductor 28 eliminated, where a cold cathode is employed. The intermediate or cathode electrode may, of course, be of any form and means may be provided for exciting the same in any manner including the specific cathode arrangements shown herein. The cathode means, when in the form of one or more electrodes, may, if desired,

be similar to the electrodes 25. I prefer, however, to utilize for the cathode means, a special electrode material comprising an alloy of barium with some other suitable metal carrier, such as- I do not, however, claim herein any bariumcontaining alloy as an electrode material or the combination of a lamp having electrodes formed of any of the barium-containing alloys herein mentioned, since the same forms the subject matter of a co-pending application filed by me on January 9, 1937, under Serial No. 119,857, for Electrode and devices embodying the same.

Each of the electrodes 25 has a corresponding conductor 21 and the cathode means' at least one conductor 29 and, if the cathode is'of a type adapted to be excited, an additional exciting conductor 28, all of said conductors extending outwardly through the envelope to enable said electrodes and the cathode means to be electrically connected in external electrical circuits, the points at which the conductors 21 and 29 penetrate the walls of the envelope being sealed to prevent the ingress or egress of gases. Preferably each eleetrode 23 and 25 is arranged in an individual electrode housing 40, which is sealed onto the envelope l3 so as to expose the electrode in the channel I'I, although each may be sealed directly in the channel I1 if desired. The channel l'l, after having been evacuated and purified, is filled with a suitable gaseous medium, such as neon, argon, crypton, mercury vapor, or other gas capable of providing an ionized path for an electronic flow or discharge between the anode and cathode means.

The evacuation and purification of the envelope and electrodes and admission of gases to the purified channel may be accomplished in any suitable or desirable manner as is known in the art.

As heretofore mentioned, the electrode-carrying ends of the envelope are preferably adjacently disposed and mounted in a supporting base l5, and, in order to facilitate the connection of the electrodes, both anode and cathode, in an external electrical circuit, the conductors 21, 28, and 29 each are electrically connected respectively with a terminal 2| carried by the base and the envelope I3 is secured in the base in any suitable manner as by means of the insulating compound 3|. Obviously, the envelope may be mounted for operation and the electrodes connected in external circuits other than by the means illustrated as convenience and expediency dictate.

While the use of an exciter in conjunction with any discharge device will improve its operation materially, the exciter is particularly beneficial when used with devices in which the electrodes are not artificially excited. In fact, the use of the exciter eliminates the necessity of artificially exciting the electrodes, especially the cathode and makes possible the successful operation of discharge devices with so called cold" cathode. The ability to initiate the discharge at low applied voltage is of importance since it permits the use of a simplified device-actuating system through the elimination of the cathode exciting circuit, shown in Figures 4-10, and permits the cathode to be made as a single electrode as shown in Figure 13, as distinguished from the filamentary cathodes shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, '7, 9, 14, and 15, and from the spaced cathode electrodes shown in Figures 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12.

In Figures 2 through 12, the exciter is applied to a discharge device embodying a permanent cathode of the artificially excited type, the cathode being of filamentary character in Figures 2-5, 7 and 9, and comprising spaced electrodes in Figures 6, 8, 10-12. In Figure 13 the cathode may be cold", that is to say, not artificially excited during operation of the device. The forms shown in Figures 14 and 15 comprise devices in which the cathode and anode may alternate, or may, as is the case in Figures 2-12, maintain their status .as such throughout the discharging operation.

Any suitable connection or connections may be provided for exciting the cathode means and/or for impressing the alternating discharge creating potential difierence upon the anodes. For instance, when the cathode is to be excited, the connections 28 and 29 may be electrically connected directly to a 110'-volt alternating current supply source, while the discharge-creating potential difference may be supplied between the anode and cathode means directly or through a suitable step-up transformer powered from a power source of lower voltage.

In Figures 2-6, the anode means comprises a pair of electrodes 25, which are connected to the opposite ends of a secondary winding 33 of a transformer 35, the primary winding 31, of which, is connected to a suitable alternating power source In Figures 2-4, the cathode connectors 28 and 29 are attached to the opposite ends of an auxiliary secondary winding of the transformer 35, while in Figure 5, the cathode connectors 28 and 29 areconnected directly to a portion ofthe primary winding 31 of the transformer 35 while the conductors 29 also are connected through a choke coil or inductive reactance 43 to the mid-point of the-secondary winding 33 so that thecathode is "excitedvby means of power delivered from the primary winding 31 either directly as in Figure 5, or through the auxiliary secondary winding 4| as in Figure 4, while full wave, rectified dischargecreating potential difference is applied alternately between one or the other of the electrodes 25 and the permanent cathode means 23.

In Figures 1-6 also, the device is illustrated for operation on single phase system. In Figures '1--12, three-phase operation is illustrated. In Figures 7 and 8, moreover, operation on full wave rectified power is shown, while half-wave operation is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

In Figures '7 and 8, the anode means comprises six electrodes 25 which are connected in pairs to the opposite ends of thesecondary winding I33 of athree-phase transformer-I35, the primary windings I31 of which are star-connected for operation on a three-phase, four-wire alternating current system, one of the cathode connections 29 being attached through the inductive reactance I43 to the mid-point of each of the secondary windings I23 of the transformer I35. The cathode means may, of course, be excited from any suitable power source, but I prefer to accomplish this by connecting the connectors 28 and 29 across a portion of onephase winding of the transformer primary I31. The electrodes 25 also may be arranged in any suitable or convenient location in the anode leg 22 of the channel I1 and may be disposed in adjacent alignment as shown in Figure 7. I prefer, however, to group the electrodes as snugly as possible and as near the end of the anode leg of the channel and to this end,

said anode leg 22 may be extended beyond the end axis of the envelope substantially at right angles, as shown among others in Figures 11 and 12. The arrangement of the electrodes is a matter'of convenience and the most suitable arrangement will be determined by the size of. the tube and the number of electrodes to be mounted and depends principally upon the limitations of the glassblowing art. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular arrangement of the anode and cathode means.

V In Figures 9 and 10, I have shown an arrangement adapted for three-phase half-wave operation. The anode leg 22 of the channel I5 carries three anode electrodes 25, which are connected to the ends of the three-phase, star-connected, secondary winding 33I of the transformer 35I, the phases of the primary winding 3" of which are likewise star-connected and powered from a three-phase, four-wire alternating current system. The cathode means 23, which in Figure 9, comprises the filament 24, and in Figure 10, comprises the spaced electrodes 26, may be excited from any suitable power source. To this end, the cathode connectors 28 and 29, in the illustrated embodiment, are attached across a portion of one of the primary phases of the transformer. One

of the conductors 29 also is connected to the common phase connection of the transformer secondary through an impedance 43I whereby a discharge occurs between each electrode 25 and the cathode means during one-half of each alternation induced in the phase of the secondary with which the electrode is connected.

In Figures 11 and 12, I have illustrated a way in. which the construction shown diagrammatically in Figure may be employed in a practical commercial lamp. The electrodes 25 and 26 are mounted in electrode housings formed on the envelope I3 in communication with the legs of the channel I1. It is desirable to connect the electrode housings to the envelope I3 in a plane intersecting the axis of the envelope substan tially at right angles in order to conserve space and locate all the electrodes as near to the end of the envelope as possible whereby to facilitate connections and enable the said end of the envelope, with the electrode housings extending downwardly, to be arranged snugly for reception in the support casing I5, in which the end of the envelope, containing the electrode housings, is secured by means of insulating compound 3i powered into the cup-shaped casing I5 after the end of envelope has been assembled therein. The casing I5 also carries terminals 2|, to which the electrode connectors 21, 28, and 29 are electrically connected to provide means whereby the electrodes 25 and 26 may be connected in an external circuit for poweringthe lamp merely by inserting the casing I5 and the prongs 2| in a suitable power outlet socket having power- 'supplying terminals adapted to contact the telminals 2I- and thus,complete electrical circuits to the electrodes 24 and 25.

The commercial devices shown in Figures 1,

2, 3 and 11 likewise have their electrode housings of discharge device herein illustrated are novel; that the exciter means X may be applied to all of the forms of discharge device illustrated herein as well as to any other common or known form of discharge device; and that like or equivalent parts shown in the various embodiments are interchangeable in order to serve the purposes and attain the advantages to be accomplished by multiplying the indicated permuta- 10 tions and combinations.

ceived to cover many inherent functional advantages not specifically mentioned herein, which will, however, be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of 0 the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages; the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for me purpose of illustrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A gaseous conduction device comprising an envelope defining a sealed channel having legs 30 containing a gaseous medium adapted to be energized to sustain electrical discharge therein,

said channel having portions disposed adjacently with dielectric means therebetween, spaced electrodes communicating with said adjacently dis- 35 posed portions of the sealed channel to energize the gaseous medium therein, and an exciter operatively associated with said adjacently disposed channel portions and comprising a conductor embracing the adjacently disposed channel por- 40 tions of said exciter and having terminals, the spaced electrodes of the discharge device being contained in envelope extensions and being received, together with'the terminals of the exciter, and secured in asiibporting base carrying 45 terminals electrically connected with the exciter terminals and with the electrodes to facilitate mounting the device and connecting it with external electrical power circuits.

2. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in so claim 1, wherein the conductor, comprising the exciter, is an elongated gaseous conduction element.

3. A gaseous conduction device comprising an envelope defining an elongated sealed channel 55 containing gaseous means adapted to be energized to sustain electrical discharge therein, said channel having end portions disposed adjacently, with dielectric means interposed between said portions, cathode means in one of said end por- 60 tions and adapted to be energized for electron em ssion, a plurality of anodes in one of said end portions, means to energize said cathode means from an external power source, and means to apply an alternating potential difference from a 65 suitable source between said anodes and to connect a neutral point of said source with the cathode means.

4. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in cla'm 3, including exciter means operatively as- 70 sociated with said adjacently disposed channel portions.

5. A gaseous conduction device comprising an envelope defining an elongated sealed channel My invention is con-- containing gaseous means adapted to be energized to sustain electrical discharge therein, said channel having end portions disposed adjacently, with dielectric means interposed between said portions, cathode means in one of said end portions and adapted to be energized for electron emission, anode means comprising spaced electrodes in another of said end portions, means to connect said spaced electrodes to an alternating current power distributing winding, and means to energize said cathode means and to connect the same with a neutral point in said power distributing winding whereby to apply a rectified potential difference between said anode and cathode means. I

6. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in claim 5 in combination with exciter means operatively associated with said adjacently disposed channel portions.

7. A gaseous conduction device comprising a tubular envelope formed to provide a sealed channel having adjacently disposed intersecting legs communicating one with the other at the point of intersection, said legs being separated by integral parts of the envelope forming a' partition between said legs, an anode in the extremity of each leg of said channel, and a cathode at the intersection of said legs whereby, when alternating potential is applied between said anodes, unidirectional current fiow may be caused through said cathode.

. 8. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in claim 7, in combination with exciter means operatively associated with said adjacently disposed intersecting legs.

9. A gaseous conduction device comprising an envelope defining an elongated sealed channel containing gaseous means adapted to be energized to sustain electrical discharge therein, said channel having end portions disposed adjacently, with dielectric means interposed between said portions, cathode means exposed in said channel, a plurality of anodes exposed in said channel, at least one of said anodes being disposed in one of said end portionaand means to apply an alternating potential diiference, from a suitable power source, between said anodes and to connect a neutral point of said source with the cathode means, including reactance means connected between the cathode means and said neutral point.

10. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said power source comprises a distributing winding, and wherein at least two of said anodes are connected at spaced points on the winding, with the cathode means connected to the winding intermediate the anode connections thereon.

11. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the power source comprises a three-phase star-connected power distributing winding, and wherein the conduction device is provided with at least three anodes connected each to an end of the three-phase winding, with the cathode means connected to the common phase point of said winding.

12. A gaseous conduction device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the anodes are connected in pairs respectively to spaced points in several windings of a poly-phase distributing system comprising the power source, the cathode means being connected to each of the several windings intermediate the anode connections thereon.

ROBERT E. BARCLAY. 

